Amy Barnes
WPM's Transformation of the Month - October 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Nominated by: Allen Thompson
Just five years ago Amy Barnes lived in a battered women's shelter, she had no job and no home. She weighed over 490 pounds and had a BMI of 52%! She knew that her sons needed her to be healthy, both on the inside and out. "I was a domestic violence survivor and I used food to cope and as an addiction to get me through the life I was living. I was now on a quest to change my life. There were so many times I was tired and frustrated, but knew I could not give up. I know if I can triumph over the struggles of both abuse and obesity, anyone can do it", states Amy.
When Amy was almost 500 pounds, her goal was to become a competitor. She knew it was a bit extreme; most of the people she knew laughed at her when she told them. In November of 2009, she got on stage. It really was not to compete with any of the other athletes; it really was more for her as an accomplishment.
She and her fiance took 1st place in the Fit Duo category!
She has lost over 350 pounds and an entire new world has begun opening up around her. From 52% BMI to maintaining between 16%-18% BMI, she first had to conquer her emotional problems first. Come with us as we interview Amy. You will be very touched and might walk off from this interview being inspired and motivated by Amy and her determination and will to change.
"...I have tried every fad diet on the market. I am a marketer's dream! I bought into every quick fix and every infomercial that told me I was guaranteed to lose weight "or my money back". I tried every diet pill, both over the counter and prescription. If I really concentrate, I cannot remember a time in my life that I was not trying the new diet or pill on the market. To no avail, nothing worked because I was not tackling the root cause of my obesity and the root cause of my addiction to food."
WP: Congratulations on winning our "Transformation of the Month". How does it feel to be considered for such a title?
I am honored to have been selected. I know there are several other people that have made amazing transformations. It is a journey whether you lose 30 pounds or 300 pounds! I want to accept this honor on behalf of every man and woman out there struggling with their weight. I want you all to know that if I can do it, you can too. You can do anything you put your mind to; you just have to want it bad enough. There is nothing that feels better than being healthy! Please use me as a motivation to change your life; this is why I do what I do. My life, and why I do what I do, is so much bigger than me. I am here for purpose. To change, encourage and inspire anyone reading this to change their life.
WP: Can you tell our readers a little about what who you are, what you are made of, and where you came from?
I guess for myself, I never realized how it was being heavy, until I lost the weight. People stare, make comments, point, laugh; people can be so cruel. I do not think they realize just how much it hurts. When at restaurants people stare, as if we aren"t supposed to eat. Food is an addiction like alcohol or drugs, except you cannot live without food!
The challenges I faced everyday were things that most people take for granted; such as going up stairs, getting out of the car, shopping, traveling on an airplane, and even getting out of the bathtub is hard. My challenges were and are like everyone else’s, I suppose. I felt like I had to give up all the foods that I loved. And I was overweight. I hated exercising. I hurt in places I did not even know could hurt. So many things I don’t think about now. I had lost control over myself physically and was pretending to be happy.
Everyone has come from every walks of life; good, bad and ugly. But I think it is a matter of taking control of your life and taking accountability for yourself, regardless of your past, present or future. I have learned more about myself in this journey than I have in the first 30 years of life. You have to keep moving forward. Trust in yourself and know, regardless of where you have come from, you can go any place you set your mind to!
WP: What percent of body fat did you begin with?
I started at a mere 52% BMI. Wow!
WP: What percent of body fat do you have at the present?
I am at 16% BMI now. I try to maintain 16-18%. I know I would love to be leaner; that would be my overall goal in reducing that number by about 5%.
WP: Did you decide to go with a Personal Trainer, self knowledge, or a gym?
I was too embarrassed to go to the gym, especially in the beginning. I lost the first 100 pounds in my living room with VHS tapes (do they even make them anymore?) and walking. There really is not a lot you can do at 500 pounds. It took me over an hour to walk around one block in the beginning. I taught myself through reading and researching on line. I never had a personal trainer because I did not want anyone else to be able to take credit for my weight loss. After my first 100 pounds loss I joined the gym, started lifting heavy weights with the "big boys" and I was hooked!
WP: Did you have a support group helping you?
No, I did it alone. I did not want anyone else to be able to take credit for my weight loss. Then, I had the same family and friends that had seen me struggle with my weight all my life. They knew I was always on a diet and it was just a matter of time that I was going to fail and go back to eating unhealthy again. I needed to do this on my own this time. No excuses and no help. I needed to change me and not do it for anyone else this time. When I met my fiancé, I was still 90 pounds heavier than I was now. He supported me and was my biggest "cheerleader" in my goal to become healthy and lose the weight. He became my training partner and for the first time in my life, I felt like I had someone believe in me. I could not have done everything I have accomplished without him. Allen and my boys are my biggest motivation!
WP: What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
My biggest challenge I faced was how people did not believe in me. As you know, after trying every diet on the market and failing, everyone around me really did not have much faith in me this last time. As I have never succeeded in the past. As I started to lose the weight, people who I thought were friends either became jealous of my success, or laughed because they thought that this was just one of those times that I was going to lose and then put the weight back on (and then some). Once I reached my goal, my friends said, "I never thought you could do it" or "How long do you plan on keeping it off this time?" Once you change your life, by making a lifestyle change, you realize that the lifestyle you had before also included negative people that held me back from reaching my goals! P.S. I love haters! They continue to motivate me every day! I use those challenges as motivation when I am feeling tired, weak and tired. You really can do anything you put your mind to!
WP: Did you take any type of supplements during this time? If so, which ones did you take?
I have tried every fad diet on the market. I am a marketer's dream! I bought into every quick fix and every infomercial that told me I was guaranteed to lose weight "or my money back". I tried every diet pill, both over the counter and prescription. If I really concentrate, I cannot remember a time in my life that I was not trying the new diet or pill on the market. To no avail, nothing worked because I was not tackling the root cause of my obesity and the root cause of my addiction to food. Society has made it so that we believe that there are these quick fixes out there to help you lose weight, without changing what you eat or without exercise and hard work. I take a multi-vitamin, CLA, L-Glutamine to help with the onset soreness, L-Carnitine, and Flax oil.
WP: What program did you follow and explain how it worked for you?
Fad diets never worked for me. After going on a "diet" I gained all the weight back I had lost, and usually more. I am sure so many others out there can relate to that. So, I needed to make it a revolutionary lifestyle change. I found out through clean eating that I could still eat the foods I liked without feeling deprived. When I finally stopped letting food control me and my life, and I took control over my food and how I felt about it, the weight dropped off without calling it a diet. It did not feel like I was on a diet because it is real food; nothing fake, processed or frozen. With the clean eating, I had to incorporate exercise. They go hand in hand. To be successful, I needed both. Make exercise fun. Remember when you were a child and you rode your bike, skipped, went swimming, hop scotched, jumped rope, you called that playing. As an adult, we call it grueling exercise. Make exercise fun. It does not have to be in a gym. If you incorporate both, clean eating and exercise, the weight will drop off; all without calling it a diet!
WP: What type of effects has your transformation caused?
My transformation has caused me to gain strength and knowledge within myself. I have gained the confidence and self-esteem within myself that I thought was lost and that I would never find. I found me again; The 3 S's: Sassy, strong and stubborn. I am not sure if that is a great combination, but those are things I believe I lacked when I was overweight!
WP: Do you believe that people can spot reduce?
No, of course we cannot spot reduce. If we could spot reduce, I wouldn't have "saddle bags" and you wouldn't have "love handles". It is really about an overall diet and overall exercise program that will change your body. Anyone out there that claims they can spot reduce must also have the title as a plastic surgeon!
WP: Did it ever come a time that you came to a "stand still" in your progress? Please explain.
The key to maintaining successful habits is to keep monitoring your progress and not to lose accountability to yourself. Remember, we live in a world full of temptations and it's easy to slip back into bad habits if you do not stay focused on why you made the changes in the first place. The biggest goal is to be the best you can be for yourself. I can reflect back on many changes I made in my life and they all required striving to be something better than I was at that moment. Do not beat yourself up. If you fall off one day on your diet or exercise routine, reset and get back on track tomorrow!
WP: What did you do differently to overcome the plateau?
There is nothing that feels better than being healthy. I love how my body has transformed over the years, and I know by pushing myself through the last set, my body will continue to transform. I do not think there is ever a time that I did not have sore muscles. There will be days that you are tired and feel like you are at a stand still. That is when you have to push past that boredom, soreness and wanting to give up. And remember where you want to go and what you want to achieve!
WP: How long did it take for your complete transformation?
I do not think I will ever be "complete". It took me about 4 years to lose the 350 pounds. I guess now, I am in fine tuning mode. There are always improvements that can be made to anyone's physique. I just stay focused and on track. I look at other women and their physiques and the changes they make to their bodies that wants me to stay focused and on track!
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
I teach classes spin and boot camp 6-days per week. I do not count those as a part of my work-out; they are just an added bonus.
Most days when I train in the gym it is as follows:
Monday: Back, Abs 45min-1 Hr. /Cardio 30 minutes
Tuesday: Shoulders, 45min- 1 Hr. /Cardio 50 minutes, teach spin class
Wednesday: Legs, Abs - 1Hr. /Cardio 30 minutes
Thursday: Arms 1Hr. /Cardio 50 minutes, teach spin class
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Chest, Abs 1Hr. /Cardio 30 minutes
Sunday: Rest (no weights) Cardio, long run with my dog, long bike ride, every other Sunday I teach a Butt/Abs class; that's more than enough! Maybe that's why my butt is so big.
WP: Can you break down your daily diet into a sample diet for us?
It really depends on the day. Because I teach so many classes per day and train so many clients, I have to make sure that I am eating enough to maintain my workouts. Usually my diet looks like this:
Meal 1: 1/2 C. oatmeal, 1 scoop of protein powder, 1small banana, coffee, 1 liter water
Meal 2: 1/2 C cottage cheese, 1 cup cut-up cantaloupe, 1liter water
Meal 3: Chicken breast, 1/2 C. whole wheat couscous, broccoli, coffee, 1liter water
Meal 4: Protein shake before heading to gym for 3rd workout/class of the day
Meal 5: Large green salad, 5oz. chicken breast, homemade vinaigrette dressing, 1liter water
Meal 6: 1/2 C. cottage cheese, raw almonds
WP: What have you accomplished since your transformation?
I had different milestones that I was proud of. At each 100 pound weight loss, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Having my boys proud me was my proudest moment. When I stepped on stage for the first time, after 5 years of wanting to be a bodybuilder, was thing I will remember for the rest of my life. I knew when getting on stage that I wasn't going to take first place. I knew there were so many other women there that had much better physiques than I did. But I did it! I got on stage! I showed the world that I was once 500 pounds and my goal to get on stage as my long term goal! I did it! No one can take that away from me. A moment in my life that I will always remember!
WP: What would you like to say to motivate others to transform their lives?
First, make the commitment to finally do something for yourself. Everyday, find a time that you will put yourself first, this will keep people fully committed. Once you feel that conviction, you can take the next steps to keep yourself moving forward towards a healthy lifestyle.
Second, set and identify reasonable goals and expectations for yourself. Set weekly, monthly and sometimes yearly goals. I always say that every journey needs a map and setting out to change your lifestyle is no exception! Despite what today's society tells you, there are no quick fixes when it comes to changing into a healthy lifestyle. Life may force detours, but with a sound strategy, you can stay on course.
Third, the key to maintaining successful habits is to keep monitoring your progress and not to lose accountability to yourself. Remember, we live in a world full of temptations and it’s easy to slip back into bad habits if you don't stay focused on why you made the changes in the first place. The biggest goal here is to be the best you can be for yourself. I can reflect back on many changes I made in my life and they all required striving to be something better than I was at that moment.
WP: What are your goals?
I would love to model. Transformation, full figure (I will never be a size 4). But feel that I have transformed in way that most people can only dream. I would love to model for a company or photographer that promotes women/transformations for the extreme, giving people hope that they can do anything they put their minds to!
WP: It was your desire to compete? Tell us more about the competition you did enter.
My goal when I was 500 pounds was to become a bodybuilder. I know it's a bit extreme; most of the people I knew laughed at me when I told them. I think because their bodies were on the opposite side of the spectrum that mine was on. In November of 2009, I got on stage. It really was not to compete with any of the other athletes; it really was more for me as an accomplishment.
My fiance and I took 1st place in the Fit Duo category. When the host announced my weightloss, there was a standing ovation. I loved every part of it. The preparation, the training, the diet, the tanning process, and the amazing people I have met. I would compete every weekend if I could, but with the excess skin I have on my legs, I am too insecure to get back on stage.
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?
My body puts on muscle pretty easy. Do not get me wrong, I have to work at it, but my body really responds well to lifting heavy. From the belly button up, I think I would do well in competing. Everything below the belly button is my weakness. I have some loose skin that comes with losing the amount of weight I did. My legs are the strongest part of my body, but with the lose skin I have, it prohibits me from really competing. There really is nothing left I can do regarding the skin, other than having surgery, so if you know any good plastic surgeons out there ready to take on a pro bono patient, please have them call me!
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
My challenges were like everyone else's, I suppose. I felt like I had to give up all the foods that I loved. And I was overweight. I hated exercising. I hurt in places I did not even know could hurt.
Once I started my transformation, I never fell back into bad habits. I traded one addiction for another. I traded my addiction to an old unhealthy lifestyle for one centered around fitness. As I saw my body transforming and change with my new healthy habits, it was also easier for me to stay on track.
1. Set weekly attainable goals, when you reach them, cross them off and reward yourself.
2. Find someone to hold you accountable.
3. Have a visual of how far you have come, and a visual of where you want to go!
WP: What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your fitness program?
Exercise becomes easier as the weight came down. Seeing my body react and change to the positive changes I was making in my lifestyle became its own motivation. The days that I was feeling tired and weak, I remembered some days it is mind over matter. It felt better to be healthy than it felt to be overweight and unhealthy.
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
Fitness is always changing. There are always new workouts, new exercise and new challenges. As a fat girl, there were so many things I could not do. Now, I know there is not anything I cannot put my mind to. You just have to want it bad enough. If there is something that challenges me physically, I will work at it until I accomplish it. So many people give up on the small challenges. I challenge myself, my body and my goals. It’s the only thing that keeps things fresh, exciting and challenging. Do not ever tell yourself they cannot do something. You really can do anything you put your mind to!
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It is just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
All of my favorite TV shows start with a dead body at the beginning; Criminal Minds and 48 Hours. I hate the taste of peas. I do not eat anything that comes out of the water and I am deathly afraid of frogs!
WP: How have you, mentally and physically, changed over the years?
Without the mental change, you will never change physically. I think 90% of changing your body has everything to do with your mental state. Until I addressed my food addiction and why I was eating, I know that my body would have never changed physically. Without addressing why you are eating to cope, the reason behind it. You will always yo-yo diet. You will always struggle with your weight and never achieve what you are capable of. I am more mentally strong now more than I have ever been. I had to overcome my addiction to food.
WP: Any shout outs?
There are several people that I can think of to give a shout out to in helping with my journey, beyond my hubby and my sons, who have been there through thick and thin and you continue to inspire me to better every day.
I want to to give a shout out to a woman that has been my motivation from the very beginning, Monica Brant. She is woman of strength, courage and beauty. When I was 500 pounds, I had pictures of Monica on my bedroom closet door and on my fridge. If there was anyone that I would want to train with, workout with, and be an example with, it was Monica Brant. Her physique was something that I would strive for, even though I knew I would never look like that.
I wanted what she had worked so hard for. I met her at the Arnold Classic 2011. It was truly my life long dream to meet her. After meeting her, I was more inspire and motivated. Beyond being absolutely beautiful on the outside, she was the kindest and one of the most genuine women I have ever met. She was more than I could have ever dreamed she would be. She was strong and kind, both from the inside out, and I will continue to be inspired by everything she has been and everything she will become. Monica, I thank you for being my motivation and being a motivation to so many women out there. You are truly beautiful both inside and out! I love you!
The words that I now live by every day is a poem by Marianne Williamson, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure", and my role models in Monica. She has given me the strength to know that I AM POWERFUL! I have continued to live my life through F.A.I.T.H.
F- Fear is inevitable, but it is NOT a stop sign to my goals.
A- Action is required to achieve my goals. I am in control of this not anyone else.
I- Integrity is all I have, I will ALWAYS lead my life this way.
T- Timing is God's hands.
H-Happiness is in my hands, I control my happiness, no one, or nothing else!
WP: What were you like in high school?
I was the slightly overweight girl. I was friends with the jocks, cheerleader and the nerds. I was voted most outgoing, was an All American golfer, captain of team, and I went to college on a golf scholarship. As far as being "in shape" or a top physical specimen, I was not!
WP: If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?
Fridge: Lana's Egg Whites, (makes it so much easier and they taste great!) chicken, lean ground beef, Ezekiel bread, fresh veggies and fruit.
Cabinets: Brown rice, oatmeal and sweet potatoes. I have 2 growing boys, so you will also find mac and cheese, Fruity Pebbles and Pop Tarts on the shelves.
There is one cupboard full of supplements, and vitamins. It appears that I take more vitamins than a 90 year old grandma!
WP: If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?
As a trainer, I often have clients that come to my home. We transformed the garage in to a home gym; Smith Machine, dumbbells, treadmill, spin bike, resistance bands, medicine balls and a wide assortment of boxing equipment. You know, it is funny; having a home gym right outside my kitchen door, and I HATE WORKING OUT AT HOME! I would much rather go to the gym!
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
I still love to play golf. When fitness is a huge part of your life; for fun, work and play, when I have free time, I love being a mom. Spending time with my boys and husband is my hobby outside of the gym; going to my boys' football games, helping with homework, and making them dinner. I know it doesn’t seem like much of a hobby, but I really felt that I was put on this earth to be a mom and a wife. There is nothing I love to do more. Everything else is a hobby or things I have to do.
WP: Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?
My goal each and every day is to inspire and motivate ONE person to change their life; whether it is to become a survivor of domestic violence or to become a survivor of obesity. Everything I do is bigger than me. I will continue to push myself, and my body, beyond what I thought was possible. I plan to compete in the FEM SPORT competition in March up in Canada. This is a competition for women to test their strength, endurance and agility. Is it hard? Heck yes! Is it something I know I can do, because I can? Of course! Watch out Canada! This USA girl is going to bring some competition! My overall goal is to compete. I want to get on stage. I took myself from 500 pounds to a fitness competition is my ultimate dream. Someday I will get on stage again. I would love to see more transformation categories within these organizations; to show that people have transformed their bodies because of the bodybuilding industry. I know the body building industry has sometimes gotten a "bad rap". But know that there are so many people that have transformed their bodies because of the industry and they should recognize the people that transformed, but also recognize the organizations that recognized the men and women that transformed their bodies, because of what they are and stand for!
WP: How do you make time for yourself? How do you relax and hide from the stress of the world?
My time away from the outside world is in the gym; working out, either with my partner/hubby, or by myself. Working out is my stress reliever from the rest of the world. Every once in while, I love a hot bath and glass of wine; by myself, of course.
WP: Who do you look up to and admire the most in this industry?
Monica Brant: A woman of courage and strength who continues to inspire women each and every day, for you, I am who I am today. Thank you for being strong, being true and a role model for so many women out there. You are so inspiring and beautiful both inside and out!
Jill Coleman: Owner and founder of Jillfit Physiques. Jill is a friend and a woman that I look up to. She truly believes in helping people strive to be their best, regardless of their age or weight. Her integrity and the integrity in her trainers, Tara Ballard, Kelly Vargo and Emily Nemith is more than you could ever require. I am honored to be friends with these amazing women. I am honored and humbled to be friends with women of such strength and power! If you are looking to compete, any one of these one would be people I would recommend!
WP: Before closing, how do you feel you have improved you and your life?
I feel my mood affects my motivation everyday. If you're tired, stressed, or sore, there are always going to be days that you are not as motivated as others. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and remember why you started in the first place. The hardest part is getting there. Once I find the motivation to get there, after I am done, I feel so much better! That is why it is so important to have an exercise partner. They are there to help motivate you and hold you accountable. If you don't have the motivation to go to the gym, but there is all of a sudden a ring at your doorbell with your workout partner in tow, you will dust yourself off and get going!
WP: Thank you Amy!
